Electric switch.



PATENTED DEG. 6, 1904.

G. B. LOW. ELBCTRIG SWITCH. APPLICATION FILED MAY 23, 1904.

- N0 MODEL.

Patented December 6, 1904.

AlTEI @rrrcn.

GEORGE B. LOW, OF NEWTON CENTER, MASSACHUSETTS.

ELECTRIC SWITCH.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 776,522, dated December6, 1904.

Application filed May 23, 1904. Serial No. 209,170. (No model.)

T0 at 1072/0772, it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE B. 'Low. a citizen of the United States,and aresident of Newton Center, in the county-of Middlesex and State ofMassachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inElectric Switches, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to an improved electric switch for making andbreaking electric circuits, and it is particularly well adapted for useon automobiles or motor-vehicles. &c., for opening and closing thecircuit of the sparking device, as may be required.

The invention is carried out as follows, reference being had to theaccompanying drawings, Wherein Figure 1 is a plan view as seen from thekeyslot end of the device. Fig. 2 is a similar plan view showing thereverse end of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2, showing thecover X removed. Fig. 4 is a cross-section on the line 4 4 shown in Fig.3. Fig. 5 is a crosssection on the line 5 5 in Fig. 3, showing the keyin position for closing the circuit. Fig. 6 is a cross-section on theline 6 6 shown in Fig. 3, and Fig. 7 is a horizontal section on the line7 7 shown in Fig. 5.

Similar letters refer to similar parts wherever they occur on thedifferent parts of the drawings.

The device consists of ametal base-plate A, adapted to be secured byscrews or otherwise to the device for which it is to be used. In acylindrical recess in said base-plate is journaled a key-receivingsleeve B, which is prevented from longitudinal movement in the recess ofthe base-plate preferably by means of a set-screw C, screwed through aprojection on said base-plate and having its inner end fitting looselyin an exterior annular groove 6 on the sleeve B, as shown.

Integral with the under side of the baseplate A is a perforated flangeA,having a keyslot A, as shown. Said flange serves as a support for thekey-sleeve B, as shown. In the key-sleeve Bis a thin key-slot B,registering with the slot A in the flange A for the purpose of insertingtherein the flat key D for operating, the switch. I have shown in thedrawings said key as a thin flat sheet-metal one; but I may, if sodesired, make such key fluted or corrugated, as is common in Yale orsimilar locks, without departing from the essence of my invention.

To the base-plate A are iirmly secured, by means of suitablefastening-screws c 11, blocks E E, made of hard-rubber liber or otherwellknown insulating material. To such blocks E E are secured by screwsff the metal contact-plates F F, and to the latter are metallicallyconnected the circuit-wiresf"f, leading to and throughabattery orcurrent-generator, and an alarm, if so desired. To opposite ends of theblocks E E are secured by screws 7 g the yielding spring-metalswitch-plates G Gr, normally held out of contact with the plates F F, asshown in Figs. 3, 4:, and 6.

The keyJ) has a handle (Z for manipulating it. Above said handle is theshank cl of the same size as the keyhole-slot B. At d d", in the upperend of the key, are side projections, and intermediate the latter andthe main shank portion 05 is a reduced portion (Z At the junction of thehandle (.Z and the shank portion (Z is arranged upon the latter cut-awayportions or notches (Z' (2*, as shown in Fig. 8.

In using the switch for the purpose of closing the circuit the key isinserted into the keyhole B and pushed inward until limited by a pin orprojection (Z on the key-shank coming to a stop against the inner end ofthe sleeve B, after which said key is turned with the said sleeve aquarter of a revolution to the position shown in Figs. 5 and 7, therebycausing the key lips or projections d d to actuate the yieldingswitch-plates G G and force and hold their free ends metallically incontact with the plates F F, thus closing the circuit and holding itclosed as long as the key is re tained in such position. WVhile the keyis in such position it is prevented from being drawn out on account ofits cut-away portions or notches (P engaging theflange A on thebaseplate A, as shown in Fig. 5, and cannot be withdrawn until turned aquarter of a revolution in an opposite direction until it coincides withthe position of the slot A" in the base-plate A. (Shown in Fig. 1.) Theblocks E E are secured at a suitable distance apart, as shown in Figs.3, 5, and 7, and on their interior surfaces are made stop projections ae for preventing the turning of the key beyond the closed positionrepresented in Fig. 7.

The device is particularly Well adapted for use on automobiles ormotor-vehicles, &c., as a thief-proof switch which cannot befraudulently actuated by a wire, nail, &c., and requires for itsoperation a thin key of a particular shape and construction.Consequently the sparking-device switch cannot be closed when the owneror person in charge of the vehicle removes the key when necessary toleave the vehicle for any length of time on the street, road, or otherplace.

Having thus fully described the nature, construction, and operation ofmy invention, I wish to secure by Letters Patent and claim- 1. In anelectric-current switch, a base A, a pair of non-conducting blocks E, E,secured to said base at a proper distance apart, contact-plates F, F,secured to said blocks and electrically connected by circuit-Wires, apair of yielding metal switch-plates G, G, secured to the non-conductingblocks, and a rotatable key-slotted sleeve journaled in said base and akey having lips or projections at its end for engaging the switch-platesby the turning of said key when inserted in the key-slot, and

causing the switch-plates to engage the circuitcontacts and closing thecircuit as set forth.

2. In an electric-circuit switch, a base-plate having journaled in abearing, a sleeve, a keyslot in the latter, means for preventinglongitudinal motion of said sleeve, non-conducting blocks secured to thebase, yielding switchplates secured to said blocks and a key having sideprojections at its end adapted to engage the free ends of saidswitch-plates for closing the circuit by the turning of the key as setforth.

3. In an electric switch, a base, non-conducting blocks secured to it,circuit-terminals and yielding switch-plates attached to said blocks,and a detachable key, a key-slotted rotatable sleeve mounted in thebase, said key having projections for engaging the switchplates to closethe circuit when turned with such sleeve, means for preventinglongitudinal movement of said sleeve and means for preventinglongitudinal motion ofsaid key when held in position for closing thecircuit as set forth.

In testimony whereof I have aflixed my signature in presence of twoWitnesses.

GEORGE B. LOW. WVitnesses:

Enw. EVERETT STONE, FRANK H. HASKELL.

